Category Archives: Grenache

Over the holiday period, back in January, we opened a bottle from South Australian producer d’Arenberg – a 2009 Sticks & Stones – made up of Tempranillo (54%), Grenache (25%) Tinta Cao (17%), Souzao (4%).

Here’s the background on the name of the bottle:

The Story Behind The Name

The inspiration behind this name came from the age-old proverb ‘sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me.’ The unusual and quirky names that d’Arenberg’s range of wines has never done the winery any harm. We also do use sticks (vine cuttings) planted into stony soils to produce the grapes that result in this wine.

It wasn’t bad for a young-ish wine,, with hints of blackcurrant, spices (cloves), and a lively aftertaste. Good colour and decent viscosity make this a good wine to enjoy now or to cellar for quite a few more years to come.

Tonight accompanied by a spicy spaghetti bolognaise, AWG and family sat down to enjoy a glass or two of the 2009 d’Arenberg “Sticks & Stones” from McLaren Vale in South Australia.

This spicy blend marries some intriguing grape varieties – grenache, temperanillo, souzao and tintacao to splendid effect. This young, vibrant wine created a very bold, juicy bouquet which almost overpowered the glass.

As expected, the wine itself matched the impact of the bouquet, with a very long and tennin filled body, smokey with currants and heavy (and spicy) fruits, like a young Shiraz, but sculptured by the grenache.

This will be enjoyed thoroughly by those who treasure young Shiraz, Durif or those who like to pair red wine to spicy food. Would keep for up to 5-8 years easily.

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